14' and under recreational. Is wide open to any one with a boat 14' max length. If you want to bring a bathtub here's your class. Do you remember me bringing 2 boys to do one of your gutbuster races with 12 foot kayaks. Yep. They got slaughtered.

And yes the plastic / aluminium canoe is for the people without a high end boat. If you got your boat last weekend at Dicks Sporting Goods store and it's only a 16' plastic canoe that's 4' wide. Now you have a chance.

I would like this to be fun at all levels. Otherwise I would limit the classes and leave it up to the paddler to bring the fastest boat they can buy borrow or build. Which is still their option.

Let's also keep in mind this my FIRST go at being the director. Keep the comments coming. This is a great growing experience for me to a get a good look at the other side of race.

This might be fun to have a group come down from the Kansas city area and show them a thing or two! Maybe get a carpool going to make it a little easier on the wallet. Everybody keeps telling how fun the Gasconade is and it sure is tempting.

DLJ & Fred (the jokers of trash talking)

The faster you can go, the less time you'll be in pain-FlyinLow Don't stop--West Hansen DEAD LAST > DID NOT FINISH > DID NOT START

Umm, I've gotta say I'm a little offended that aluminum is under "recreational division." Those are the real racing machines! And what do you mean saying aluminum is "for the people without a high end boat." Nothing says class like a dented, dinged-up, scratched old aluminum.

Brian,Thank you for your support. And yes, I suppose aluminum should be in a different divisions than 40 lb Kevlar boats. However, I think the title "recreational division" is unfair. "Freaking ManBeast Division" would be more appropriate.

I would change the name to "Stock" canoe. That brings aluminum, fiberglass and rotomolded into one class. Generally there is a length restriction of 17-17.5. The reasoning is when canoe hits the magical 18' mark the design changes and it starts to fall into a more competitive category by those who own them. The 18' Grumman that Dana owns was the fastest aluminum until Alumicraft came out with the 18.5, it was also lighter. the 18.5 is still the fastest stock aluminum. Just a note on pedigree some of the top paddlers in the U.S. started in the iron boat class like Bob Zaveral and his partner Jeff Shultis (a national champion before going into the pro circuit)IMHO there is no better boat for the 340 for the average Joe and Joette, Solid hull, tough and paddler friendly. My ranking would be 18.5 Alumacraft, 18' Grumman followed by the Voyager and light Alumacraft 17'

The Alumacraft 18.5 is fastest stock canoe, stock meaning readily available from the manufacturer and targeted to the general public.(my definition) the Beaver is faster and the Minnick or Ohio lowline even faster.